City Comparison

Cranston vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island
109
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,200
Median Income

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

39.7%

Springfield is 39.7% less expensive than Cranston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Cranston would need approximately $53,670 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
135
Cranston
52
Springfield
Groceries
103
Cranston
98
Springfield
Utilities
113
Cranston
98
Springfield
Transportation
93
Cranston
114
Springfield
Healthcare
110
Cranston
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $53,670 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $104,808 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $162,000. The $233,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,144 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $466/month in Springfield. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $392 in Springfield. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 110 in Cranston and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,200 in Cranston and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 39.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,670 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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